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09-24-2012, 08:14 PM
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#1 |
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Sr. Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Clarksville, TN
Posts: 1,434
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Carbon fiber mods - how?
I've seen a couple of mods on here with what appears to be carbon fiber. Care to share? Are you using real carbon fiber, or purchased th part made from carbon fiber (where from, pray tell?), or are you using carbon fiber-looking vinyl?
For instance, I thought that the plastic tank cover on the Vaquero would look good in carbon fiber, maybe even one of the dark colors (red, purple) other than the natural black (my ride is black). Never worked with real carbon fiber, so I don't know how one would match the front of the plastic and the curves. Same question if done in vinyl. I know you can heat it and it will mold, but how much? Just looking to get educated here! 
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09-24-2012, 08:26 PM
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#2 |
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Peoples Republic of New York State
Posts: 15,154
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This is what I used on my lower windshield.
It is stretchable if you heat it with a hairdryer. http://www.ebay.com/itm/24-x60-BLACK...438bc0&vxp=mtr
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Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers  [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4] |
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09-24-2012, 08:59 PM
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#4 |
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VBA Founder
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Lindale, Texas
Posts: 6,846
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When the day comes that I buy my Voyager (planning to get a 2014).... I'll be touching base with Google right away.
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Robert "Trip" Hilliard VBA/KawaNOW - Founder/Past President VBA # 00001 Trip's Website Custer 09, 18 / Maggie Valley 11 / Eureka Springs 09, 17 / Antlers 09, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18 Texas Hill Country / Deals Gap / Colorado / Wyoming / Montana / Utah / More trips for Trip |
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09-24-2012, 10:01 PM
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#5 |
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Fairview Heights, IL (StLouis)
Posts: 1,601
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Hydrographics is how I did mine.
Jason at Midwest Hydro Designs did all my work. http://www.midwesthydrodesigns.com/ My bike: http://www.vulcanbagger.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=29600 I would sure love it to be REAL carbon, and some carbon-snobs may not like mine, but I'm happy with the way it all turned out. It's definitely the cheapest way to get the look. That said, I have a customer that makes DOD Drones out of carbon fiber and I'm trying to convince them to make some motorcycle parts, starting with Kawasaki. . . I would donate patterns of course 
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Jay Stephens, Former National Vice President (2013-2015) 2006 Yamaha FJR1300 formerly 2011 Vaquero- Black formerly 2005 Nomad - black/silver 
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09-25-2012, 09:10 AM
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#6 |
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Sr. Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 1,485
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Hydrographics seem to be the best way to go. That way you know it's on there and it'll hold up to the elements. The vinyl stuff is very finicky and you never know what you'll end up with... material and/or looks.
I think the tank cover would look really good in the black carbon... especially with a black bike.
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 Matt "Mo" Moore  Owasso, Oklahoma VBA #1250 2005 Nomad 1600 - Darkside "There is no normal life, there's just life. So get on with it." - Doc Holiday |
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09-25-2012, 01:11 PM
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#7 |
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Fairview Heights, IL (StLouis)
Posts: 1,601
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THose vinyl films look great, but the ones I've seen are 3D (textured), so I was apprehensive to use it as a wrap. I bought a roll from Autozone, and kept it around for other projects.
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Jay Stephens, Former National Vice President (2013-2015) 2006 Yamaha FJR1300 formerly 2011 Vaquero- Black formerly 2005 Nomad - black/silver
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09-25-2012, 02:32 PM
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#8 |
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Sr. Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Newburgh IN
Posts: 3,404
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hydrographics
Hydrographics will give the best results IMHO.
http://duckvilleimaging.com/ http://duckvilleimaging.com/film-gal...r-film-gallery
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VBA #01084
"A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." |
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09-26-2012, 09:18 PM
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#9 |
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 315
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Last edited by sho_greg; 09-26-2012 at 09:21 PM.
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09-26-2012, 10:16 PM
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#10 | |
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Top Contributor
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: North Wilkesboro, NC
Posts: 6,289
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Quote:
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Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860 |
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09-26-2012, 10:16 PM
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#11 |
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Top Contributor
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: North Wilkesboro, NC
Posts: 6,289
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Real CF is molded the same way as fiberglass.
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Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860 |
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09-26-2012, 10:40 PM
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#12 |
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Fairview Heights, IL (StLouis)
Posts: 1,601
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Agreed, the Vinyl is the most "real" looking carbon fiber-look without the smooth, glossy surface carbon fiber is known for because of the textured 3D look.
The vinyl has a "4 year outdoor lifespan/12 year indoor lifespan" yours will depend on your outdoor exposure and weather extremes
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Jay Stephens, Former National Vice President (2013-2015) 2006 Yamaha FJR1300 formerly 2011 Vaquero- Black formerly 2005 Nomad - black/silver
Last edited by jestephens; 09-26-2012 at 10:43 PM.
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09-26-2012, 10:45 PM
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#13 |
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Jr. Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8
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The "real" carbon fiber is cured in a vacuum, with heat. The epoxies that are used are quite a bit different than fiberglass resin. I spent several years on the Boeing (Apache) production line and saw carbon fiber and kevlar in their infancy.
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09-26-2012, 11:36 PM
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#14 | |
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Fairview Heights, IL (StLouis)
Posts: 1,601
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Quote:
but it doesn't require a vacuum. Of course materials are different, but process is/can be similar. - I have a customer making drones from carbon fiber for DOD; all hand layed and epoxied
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Jay Stephens, Former National Vice President (2013-2015) 2006 Yamaha FJR1300 formerly 2011 Vaquero- Black formerly 2005 Nomad - black/silver
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09-27-2012, 08:26 AM
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#15 |
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Montreal QC
Posts: 12,034
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When you vacuum bag any lay up, carbon fiber, glass cloth etc, using epoxy or polyester resin, you get a stronger lay up because of the extra pressure compressing it and also more consistent resin / cloth ratio.
Is vacum bagging needed for a cosmetic part?, not really IMO. Most epoxies does not fair as well as polyester resin when subject to UV rays and should be coated with a UV resistant finish.
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 Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136 |
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